Porthcawl’s secret tragedy

Next month I will be supporting a very special exhibition staged by Porthcawl Shout Forum (PSF) at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay, entitled “Porthcawl’s Secret Tragedy”.

The exhibition will commemorate the 70th anniversary of the loss of the SS Samtampa which was wrecked on Sker Point with the loss of all her thirty nine crew members, together with the Mumbles Lifeboat with her eight crew members who also lost their lives. It will run from the 24th April through to the 8th May 2017 in the Oriel at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay.

As well as the exhibition, in early May, there will be a reception to promote the exhibition. Members of Porthcawl Shout and others within the community of Porthcawl feel very strongly that the Samtampa tragedy and the bravery displayed by the Mumbles lifeboat crew 70 years ago, should not simply be consigned to the history books but commemorated.

The exhibition will be made up of panels and pop up boards telling the story of the tragedy. There will also be art work commemorating the disaster. It is hoped that there will also be some artefacts and models of the SS Samtampa and the Mumbles Lifeboat. There will also be a TV screen showing old news reels of the disaster and its aftermath.

At the reception, I will be saying a few words of welcome and introduction. Porthcawl Shout is putting together a very packed programme of events. As Patron of the PSF, I would encourage people to come and visit the exhibition.